RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 17776, 26 September 1921, Page 3

RUGBY

WELLINGTON RETAINS THE SHIELD. OTAGO'S ILL-LUCK. WELLINGTON, September 9AThe Ranfurly Shield match OUje v. Wellington was played at AthletW I ark on Saturday. ' ' Otago were very unlucky to lose, for they had considerably more of the play than the Wellintgon men. Something always seemed to go wrong at tb* critical moment, and the chances of scoring a thoroughly deserved win were therefore lost. Watson played a sound game at full-back, although at least one try was gained by Wellington through slackness on his part. Stewart was the most noticeable man in the three-quarter line, although Owles did much good work now and again. However, he knocked-on at a critical moment. M'Naughton was satisfactory at half-back, but the others did nothing outstanding. The forwards were stronger' than Wellington in the heavy stuff, although they missed Coombes out of the front of the scrummage through his enforced retirement. Richardson, Sonntag, Patterson, and Harty all played well, and it was no fault theirs that the game did not go their "way. Wellington are undoubtedly lucky to be still the holders of the Ranfurly Shield, and on their play this afternoon .the Otago players should have taken the log of wood home with them. —First Spell.— The opening stages of the game were in Otago’s favor, although they had a strong sun in their faces. A, free kick awarded early to Patterson did not rise, and one directlv afterwards by Owles went in the right direction, but not high enough. After some give-and-take play Patterson and Sonntag broke away in company, and when Highlev received the ball ho centred it to in front of the goal. The bounce favored Owles, who shot across to score the opening try fifteen minutes after the commencement of the game. Richardson missed the kick. Otago 3 Wellington 0 On resumption Wellington carried the ball right to the other end, IT. K. Nieholls potting a fine goal from the field.

Wellington , 4 Otago 5 Watson’s fielding of the ball in the face of the strong sun was one of the main features in this stage of tho game. Play, though fast, became very ragged, neither side'showing anything really brilliant. Then Coombes was compc led to retire with a broken rib, Wilson taking his place. Sonntag headed a good rush, and the ball went out near the Wellington line. - Mark

IS'icholls and D. Algar joined in a run that /threatened the Otaao line, but W marked when the situation was dangerous. In the following play, King scared a try right at the corner, which he failed to convert. Wellington 7 Otago 3 At this stage, when the game had been in progress about half an hour, Jackson, Shearer, and B. Algar joined up in a movement that just missed scoring. Stewart made a fine run up the line, Siddells pushing him out. Harty and Patterson carried on the good work, and went over the line, but a scrum was ordered live yards out, which Wellington carried. Siddells tried for a mark, and missed it, Hawke getting fhe ball- When overtaken by; Jackson he ■ passed to Owles, who dashed over under the pests. Richardson converted.

Otago 8 Wellington 7 Seven minutes were now left of the first half, and following a free kick, Ryan got the ball and passed to Standen,_ who scored. Nicholls took the kick, but missed, Wellington *lB Otago 8 The Otago full-back failed lamentably in getting into position to take the ball from a free kick, but the bell rang without any further addition to the score, with .the play down ..Otago’s end. After the bell had rung, the ball being still in play* and before the whistle sounded, M. Nicholls scored a hue try. Wellington ...... 13 OtagO ... 8 —Second Spell— A free kick for not throwing in five yards saw a good fine kick by Hawke, and an Otago attack developed. A free kick for held ball relieved the position. Otago were helped with several knocks-on, which the referee failed to notice, and an attempt to pot a goal by Watson was the next incident. The Otago attack was very persistent in the early, stages of this, half, and after twelve minutes’ play a slight halt was made to attend to an injured player; and in another rush for the Wellington lino Patterson was “out” for thirty seconds.- Touch-in-goal twice saved Wellington, and Perry marking a kick out, Stewart dashed across the line, but struck the corner flag before grounding the ball, and lost the try. . Twenty minutes after starting, \\ellington cleared their defence for the first time, 'and hammered away at the other side for a while. The Wellington passing went astray once again at Markham, and Otac'o got the ball down to the other end through the agency of Perry and Owles. A free kick was taken by Richardson right in front, but bo missed the easiest of shots. A fine breakaway by the Otago backs was spoilt by Owles throwing forward when things had become interesting; and then Ward and Perry got within striking distance. . The spell so far had been practically all Otago’s, but the score seemed hard to get. A htyd kick by Markham was marked by Owles, whose kick was charged down. The game was well in its last qu arter Wellington got beyond the halfway once again, but only for a moment. Siddells centred a luck and ■ followed it through, but Parker knocked it on, and a little later a free kick waa taken by M. Nicholls. the ball flying a little wide. A wonderful line kick by Watson put Otago on the attack once again, hut Wellington got out of it with a force-down. A real tired’ feeling was manifest amongst the players at stage, nine minutes from time; but Siddells, the Wellington full-back, got a. irasty knock, which caused a little delay. He recovered, and. took up hia position, and a fine forward rush by Wellington, with Shearer and Ryan in front, began to look promising; but somebody stopped to pick the bail up, and the chance went. A free kick a long way out for off-side was taken by King,: but it'flew low and wide. Wellington ... 13 Otago 8 - TARANAKI v. AUCKLAND. This match, played at Now Plymouth, unexpectedly resulted in a win for Taranaki by 21 to 10. The home team played a great game, reminiscent of their titanic struggle against the Springboks. Hooker was responsible for two beautiful goals dropped from the field. SOUTHERN'S NEW PAVILION. In the presence of about 200 supporters of the Southern Club the mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) opened the new pavilion, and congratulated tno club upon having such a fine building erected by the players themselves by funds obtained from supporters and grants by the City Council and the 0.8.F.U. Mr H. Harris (president of the 0.R.F.U.) endorsed His Worship’s remarks. Mr W. Kindley (president of the Southern Club) briefly returned thanks for the presence of the mayor and Mr Harris-

After the ceremony the annual mjitch Past v. Present was played, some of the old players showing form, defeating the Present, by 24 points__to 0. Trie* were scored by Allen, $2), Kindley, (2), Withey, and'Harley. Irvine converted two and Eekhold one.

mATE3 PAST v. PRESENT. Past won by 8 points to 6. For tho winners Coull scored and Fea converted, and Fairbairn placed a penalty. For the Present, Shepherd scored two tries. Pirates lit. A defeated Pirates 111. B by 8 to 6. ' ! _ "Pirates IV. A and Pirates IV. B drew, 3 all. Mr B. Watson controlled the three games. s SCHOOLS’ SEVEIT-A-SIDE. The final of the above tournament, Kensington v. Arthur street, was- played bn the Caledonian Ground this—morning. After a hard-fought game Kensington won by 5 points to 0, Marshall, kicking a penalty goal. OTHER MATCHES. At Seacliff bn September 13 the staff of tho Menial Hospital defeated a team of University students by 9 to 8. In the evening the students gave the patients a concert. - A game was played at Alexandra Park between Briscoe’s and the Fletcher Construction Company. After an even and exciting game Briscoe’s won by 18 points to 0. For the winners tries were scored by Duncan, Porter, and M'Curdy ; while H. Brown converted one, kicked a penalty, and also potted a goal. , A friendly game was played at Eavensbournc between Laidlavv and Gray and Kcmpthornc, Prosser, resulting m a win for Laidlaw and Gray by 13 to 6. Tries were scored for tho winners by Ward, Crosby, and Andrews, Clarkson converting two. For tho losers Lorimer and Dc Kock scored. Mr J. Himburg ably controlled tho game. At St. Kudu, under excellent weather conditions, a match was played between the Waitaki Dairy Co. and Hallenstem Bros., resulting in a win for tho latter by 9 points to 3. For the Esquilant, and Knight scored. , For the losers Gordon Campbell scored a brilliant try just on the stroke of time. A .gaino between a team from Turnbull and Jones and Shag Point was jfiayed at Palmerston, resulting in a draw —no score.

A game between M'Gregor’s Foundry and A. and T. Burt’s resulted in a win for the latter by 17 points to 8. For the winners tries were scored by Pink (2), D. A. Stewart, Kenward, and Stewart. Arnos converted one. A forward scored, M'Ewen converted and also kicked a penalty goal for the losers. The game between J. Sparrow and Son and Hogg and Co. was won by the former by 18 to "9. Tries werfe scored by Findlay (2), Walker, and Chase. Knight converted one, and Marks potted a goal. For Hogg and Co., Mfllins, Johns, and Beattie scored tries. ■’

Arts 36 points defeated Law Faculty

Alhambra Club brought their season to a close at Opohn. Past defeated Present by 22 points to 14. During the afternoon numerous childrens’ races were run, and the Albany Street School fife and drum band played selections, which were much appreciated by the large gathering. Speeches complimentary to the club were made by the mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas), Mr H. Harris (president Otago Rugby Football Union), and Mr G. Nelson (president of the c!n*). His Worship the Mayor also presented tho prizes won in the children’s races. LEAGUE. AUSTRALASIAN TEAM IN ENGLAND. The Australasian League footballers defeated the Hnll-Kingston Rovers by 26 to 6. The weather was fine and tho attendance 13,000. In the early stages of the game the Rovers were vigorous and fiery.' but the. visitors soon penetrated the home defence and kept the upper hand. At half-time the Australasians were 13 points to the Rovers’ 2. Blinkhorn, Cray, and Border secured tries, and Norman converted two. Bradshaw got a penalty'goal for the Rovers. Shortly after the start of tho second spell, as the result of illegal play, Bradshaw kicked two penalties. Tho visitors maintained their superiority to the end. Harder was particularly brilliant, adding three tries, two of which Norman converted,—London cable.